Academic Program

Writing Greece: The Ancient World and Genre Fiction

In this 3 s.h. course abroad, students will have an opportunity to find new inspiration for their own writing through travel in Greece.

'Writing Greece' engages the rich legacy of the ancient world to foster creativity and inspire original fiction in a relaxed and supportive atmosphere. Students will visit unforgettable ancient sites such as the Parthenon in Athens, the Sanctuary of Zeus in Olympia, the Archaeological Site of Delphi and the Lion Gate in Mycenae. Depending on the weather/schedule, students will also enjoy a free day at the island of Aegina.

This course emphasizes both myth and history, with tales of gods and goddesses and narratives of kings and philosophers receiving equal weight. We will study the fascinating deities Athena and Poseidon, learn about the Athenian statesman Pericles, and familiarize ourselves with the poetry of Sappho. Reading and writing assignments will be short and manageable, with daily conference appointments available for all students. Creative writing may take the form of genre fiction (e.g., fantasy, sci-fi, YA) or more traditional literary fiction.

This class includes free periods during some afternoons and evenings when students can explore independently. Contemporary Greek cities are safe, fascinating, and affordable; in the past, program participants have had a wonderful time finding out-of-the-way markets and discovering charming neighborhoods. Whether studying a statue of Artemis, eating in a seaside taverna, or revising a story in the shadow of the Parthenon, this course promises to both edify and entertain. 

This course will convert to ENGL:4720. Studnets should talk to their academic advisor about how this course could apply to their specific degree plan.

Cultural Activities

Students will engage in a variety of activities focused on ancient and modern cultural life. Activities may include:

• A walking tour and welcome dinner on arrival in Athens


• Guided tours of the world-renowned Acropolis and New Acropolis Museum, the National Archaeological Museum, and the ancient Agora


• Visits to the ancient sites of Mycenae, Nafplion, Olympia, & Delphi


• A daytrip to Cape Sounion and the ancient ruins of the Temple of Poseidon


• A daytrip to the island of Hydra or Aegina


• A farewell dinner in Athens

Faculty Director

Director of Undergraduate Studies and Professor of English at the University of Iowa, Harry Stecopoulos specializes in modern American literature and creative writing.  He has published books on such varied topics as masculinity, US imperialism, and southern literature. His most recent book Telling America's Story to the World: Literature, Internationalism, Cultural Diplomacy was published by Oxford University Press in 2023.  A veteran editor and an award-winning creative writing instructor, Harry ran The Iowa Review for six years, and recently taught nineteen Iowa students as they rewrote The Great Gatsby and then signed a Hollywood film deal. He's visited Greece many times and is eager to share his knowledge of the country with program participants. 

Program Dates

This course will be offered next during Winter Session 2024-2025.
Tentative travel dates are December 27, 2024-January 6, 2025. Students will need to do some virtual coursework before and after the program travel dates. Students should consider the course dates December 26-January 13.

For More Information

Information Session

Join us for our upcoming information session on Thursday, September 5 at 3:00pm in the University Capitol Centre, room 1117. At the information session, students will have an opportunity to meet with the faculty-leader, learn about the program's academic goals & activities, discuss scholarships, and receive instructions on the application process.

Contacts

For more details about this program please contact the faculty director Harry Stecopoulos or study abroad program coordinator Krista Larson.

Athens

The capitol and largest city in Greece, Athens is one of the world's oldest cities with a recorded history spanning 3,400 years. The heritage of the classical era is still evident in the city, represented by ancient monuments and works of art, the most famous of all being the Parthenon.

The Parthenon is the greatest and finest sanctuary of Ancient Athens. Dedicated to its patron, the goddess Athena, it still dominates the center of the modern city from the rocky crag known as the Acropolis.

Greece

The history of Greece is one of the longest of any country, having been continuously inhabited since 270,000 BC.

Considered the cradle of Western civilization, Greece is the birthplace of democracy, Western philosophy, the Olympic Games, Western literature, historiography, political science, major scientific and mathematical principles, and Western drama, including both tragedy and comedy.

US Department of State Country Information

The US Department of State provides safety and security information for every country of the world to help you assess for yourself the risks of travel. Each country information page contains a Travel Advisory, Alerts, and other important details specific to that country that could affect you.

Pay close attention to the entry and exit requirements, local laws and customs, health conditions, and other details to help decide whether traveling to any given country is right for you. Non-US citizen travelers may also wish to seek guidance from the embassy of their country of citizenship. The UI International Travel Policy for Students addresses restrictions on student travel to high-risk locations and engagement in high-risk activities abroad.

Living Arrangements

Accommodations are selected based on reputation, location, surroundings, and accessibility. Students will be placed in double or triple occupancy rooms, meaning they will share with another program participant. Each room will have free wi-fi access and a private bathroom.

Passport

If you do not have a passport, apply for one as soon as possible to ensure you receive it before the program begins.

The UI Passport Office processes new U.S. passport applications and child/minor renewal applications.

US citizens can find more information about how to renew a passport on the US Department of State’s website. Most adult renewals must be done by mail.

Important notice:
Students with a valid passport should check the expiration date. Passports must be valid for at least 6 months AFTER the anticipated return to the US from studying abroad. If yours is not, you must renew your passport.

Expedited processing service is available for US passports (although this still takes several weeks and is at an additional cost). UI Study Abroad encourages students to ask the passport agency at the time of application whether expedited service is recommended.

Non-US Citizens

Students who are not US citizens should contact their consulate for more information if they need to get a new passport or renew their passport.

Travel Arrangements

A suggested flight itinerary will be shared with students accepted to the program. Students are strongly encouraged to book the suggested flight itinerary or an alternative itinerary that arrives in Greece at approximately the same time. Onsite staff in Greece will meet the group at the airport and provide transportation to the program site.

Participants who are unable to meet onsite staff at the group arrival point in the airport are responsible for checking in at the designated arrival point at the appointed date and time and are responsible for all transfer arrangements and costs.

Transportation for all course activities in Greece is included in the program cost.

Eligibility

This program is open to students attending US Institutions who fulfill the following requirements:

• Minimum 2.75 cumulative GPA: Students must have at least a 2.75 GPA. Students with a GPA of a 2.74-2.5 may be considered on a case-by-case basis.
• Completion of at least one semester of college-level study: Students are required to have at least one semester of college-level study completed. Preference will be given to those with two semesters completed.
• Major Requirements: This program is designed for English students but is open to all majors. To learn about how this course could apply to your program of study, check with your academic advisor.
• Attendance at mandatory orientation programming: Students must attend all in-person and online pre-departure orientation programming.
• Good academic and disciplinary standing: Students must be in good academic and disciplinary standing at the University of Iowa. Academic and disciplinary history will also be considered when determining whether a student is prepared to represent the University of Iowa as part of this program. Students who, even after being accepted into a program, are put on either academic and/or disciplinary probation for any period of time overlapping with the study abroad program dates are ineligible to study abroad. In these cases, students must forfeit their acceptance, will not be allowed to study abroad, and are wholly responsible for any and all financial expenses incurred.
• Demonstrated preparedness and maturity: Students must meet entry requirements for the countries and venues visited by the program. Students must demonstrate preparedness to take on the heightened responsibilities associated with international study and travel and demonstrate a commitment to behave responsibly abroad while respecting cultural differences. Students are expected to obey both local laws and program directives conveyed to participants before and during the program. The University of Iowa Code of Student Life applies to all program participants while abroad.

Participants who are enrolled at institutions other than the University of Iowa

Students who attend institutions other than the University of Iowa must also contact their home school study abroad office to review any additional study abroad requirements. Please note that if the course reaches maximum capacity, preference will be given to UI students.

Cost

The cost sheet outlines the total estimated costs associated with participating in this program and can be used for financial aid and planning purposes. It includes fees charged on students’ U-Bill ($50 application fee, course fee, Study Abroad Administrative Fee, and mandatory Iowa Regents CISI Travel Insurance), as well as out-of-pocket expenses. Actual out-of-pocket expenses will vary from individual to individual. Please see the respective websites for further details. Contact the UI Study Abroad advisor with questions regarding the cost sheet.

The 2024-2025 course sheet is posted below. The course fee does not include the Application Fee, Study Abroad Administrative Fee, CISI Travel Insurance, or out-of-pocket expenses, all of which are listed in the cost sheet. It does include academic instruction, guided tours in Greece, in-country transportation, some meals, and accommodations.

2024-2025 Cost Sheet

Key points to note are:

• The $50 application fee is billed to students' U-bills after submitting the online application.
• The Course Fee, Study Abroad Fee, and CISI Insurance fee are billed to confirmed students' U-bills after Winter Registration.  
• Non-uiowa students will pay an additional $200 in administrative fees ($600 vs. $400) 
• All other amounts are estimated out-of-pocket expenses and will vary for each participant.

Scholarships and Financial Aid

Students are encouraged to apply for Need-based, Merit, and Global Access Ambassador scholarships awarded by Study Abroad. More information is available on the Scholarships page.

Students who receive a Federal Pell Grant are eligible to apply for the Gilman International Scholarship, an external scholarship awarded by the Department of State. Learn more here.

Financial aid received to attend the University of Iowa (scholarships, grants, and loans) may be applied toward the program cost. Students are encouraged to speak with someone in Financial Aid to explore financial aid options.

How to Apply

Students Attending the University of Iowa

• Meet with your academic advisor(s) to discuss how this program might fit your graduation plans, and to ensure that it meets your academic and personal goals.
• If you and your academic advisor agree that this program is a good match for you, complete the UI Study Abroad application. Please note that the non-refundable $50 application fee will be charged to your U-Bill as part of this online application.
• Submit the online application before the application deadline.
• The faculty director and UI Study Abroad will review your application materials and, if you meet the requirements for the program, you will be contacted with your acceptance status after the application deadline.

Students Attending Other Universities

• Contact the study abroad office at your home institution and ensure you follow all of the policies and procedures required for you to participate in this program.
• Contact UI study abroad advisor Lindsay Budde by email at lindsay-budde@uiowa.edu to request an application for the program.
• Complete the UI Study Abroad application. Please note that the non-refundable $50 application fee will be charged to your University of Iowa U-Bill as part of this online application.
• Submit the online application before the application deadline.
• The faculty director and UI Study Abroad will review your application materials and, if you meet the requirements for the program, you will be contacted with your acceptance status after the application deadline.

Application Information

The application will open August 5, 2024 and close September 20, 2024. The application requires:

• A completed online application, including a statement of interest in this program
• A short writing sample
• A copy of your completed grades from MyUI

The writing sample will be used to ensure applicants will be successful on this writing-intensive program.

A link to the study abroad application can be found here: UI Study Abroad Application

Application Deadline

Extended to Wednesday, September 25

Late applications will not be accepted.

Acceptance & Confirmation Materials

Acceptance and confirmation materials will be distributed after the application deadline has passed. After the confirmation deadline, students will receive information about flights, registration, and orientation.

Health & Safety Planning

Students should carefully review the following materials starting at least two months prior to departure:

Prepare for Departure

Health and Safety

Iowa Regents CISI Health Insurance Information

Students are also encouraged to complete the Health Preparation Guide for International Travelform with their medical practitioner. This document is intended to help you plan for your medical needs abroad. Please DO NOT turn this form in to UI Study Abroad.

Orientation

To prepare for your time abroad, you are required by the University of Iowa to complete two orientations.

Online Education Abroad Pre-Departure Orientation

You are required to complete the International Programs ICON course “Education Abroad Pre-Departure Orientation” prior to departure. This orientation is mandatory for all students going abroad under the auspices of the University of Iowa. It covers many practical matters about living overseas, such as health and safety, communication, money, goals, and much more. You will be enrolled in this course by International Programs and an email will be sent to you once enrolled. If you have questions, you can email safety-abroad@uiowa.edu.

Program-Specific Orientation

A mandatory, in-person orientation will be facilitated by the Faculty Leader and Study Abroad Coordinator before departure and will cover content specific to your program and host country. Special arrangements can be made for non-UI students.